Diversions and Hobbies

[NancysToy]

Here in the North, it becomes more difficult to ride as the weather cools, and becomes impossible in the snow, ice, and salt. A person has to have something else to occupy himself/herself for part of the year. I have ridden during every month, but to spend half an hour putting on longjohns and winter gear, just to ride ten minutes to the store on an errand, isn't going to happen. In addition, because drivers don't expect to see motorcycles this time of year, riding is more dangerous.

Probably the thing I do most to occupy my time is work out. Although I exercise in the summer, too, I am less likely to be diverted from my workouts in the winter, and I need the exercise more. Home improvement projects are another year-round thing that get more attention during the winter...at least the smaller and indoors projects. I like working with my hands. The garage is unheated, so the cars and motorcycles are worked on only in the warmer months.

I restored a motorcycle in the basement a few years ago, but it was too hard to get it out when it was finished, so that seldom happens now. I enjoy model railroading, woodworking, and I do some occasional wood carving. I used to read a lot, but after the motorcycle accident several years back scrambled my brains, I have trouble concentrating for long. That has also cut back on the geneaology work.

So, that is what keeps me going. What hobbies and interests occupy your time when you can't ride?

 

[retread]

Z, N, HO and O layouts, getting my treadmill and weight bench out of retirement, and reawakening my gun collecting. Just picked up a Springfield XD 40, and discovered how badly out of shape I've let myself get. No more couch potato living.:shocked:

john

 

[pjp623]

Skiing, snowmobiling, X-country, snowshoeing, and good scotch.

 

[ARtraveler]

Working on my bluegrass flatpicking technique.

 

[wyliec]

Snowshoeing and continue to workout 6 days a week; it's 6 days every season. And of course watching my favorite tv shows including Entourage, which I doubt anybody else here would watch. Plus I'm only semi-retired. I still work physical therapy as a per diem. I don't think I could ever work a full 8 hrs. again though. If I do, I'd have to sleep two days straight.

 

[Roger]

I like trying to learn cool new things on my mac computer,I do rc car racing at a local track and watch movies on those cold northeast nights,go to bike shows over the winter. :clap:

 

[dancogan]

Working out seems to be a common trend. I bought a Concept2 rowing machine a couple of years ago and try to use it 3-4 times a week. It's a great full body work out. I also love photography, which can take place throughout the year. Last winter a friend and I headed up to Michigan's UP to photograph some of the waterfalls near Munising. The organizing and sorting of pictures, not to mention finishing them up on Photoshop takes a lot of time. Oh...there's also that pesky full time job!

 

[bruiser]

Here in sunny eastern North Carolina the ryding goes on, albeit colder. January and February are usually our worst months for lousy weather, although it has snowed as early as November and as late as March. Weather pundits are predicting a warmer than usual winter this year. And so far they are on the mark. We've had temps in the 70's in the past week. I am still working full time, so hobbies are kind of on the back burner. When I can, I do woodwork, birdwatching, and some volunteer work with special needs folks. My work hours vary anywhere from 8 to 12. This time of the year it's leave in the dark and get home in the dark. The wife is on disability and has a singing ministry that occupies her, and she is a member of a local womens club. Until I retire again, It's work, work, work and ryde when I can.

 

[Neez]

Here in the west coast of Canada, there are some ryding days throughout the winter and my garage is seldom too cold to work on my Spyder, my outboard motors or even, if necessary, my wife's pickup truck. The winter is also the only time I bother with spectator sports, and I never miss a Vancouver Canucks hockey game.

 

[DynamoBT]

Sunday is NFL Football day! I can't watch every game being played (No Dish or Direct TV). But do watch all the games in my viewing area. I'm a Patriots fan.

I'm exercising everyday until I am able to get back up to my pre-hip replacement level of duration and resistance on a stationary recumbent bike. I am progressing quickly and expect to be back on track fairly soon. Then I'll only exercise for three days and take a day off.

I hate to say that I spend a ridiculous amount of time on the computer surfing through various forums of which I'm a member. I've got Yahoo and Google dog groups. I've got a another motorcycle forum besides SpyderLovers. I'm on Facebook now too, which I had vowed for a very long time that I would not join. But, I caved in. Sad, I know. But apparently I like my finger on the pulse of humanity more than I realized!

Mowing is thankfully, OVER!!!!!!! Plowing is the house maintenance activity that's my responsibility in the winter. I expect I will be ready to drive just about when snow comes. I will enjoy being able to do it this year even more than I usually enjoy plowing since I thought I might have to let my husband do it for me. I'm really looking forward to it! I could be considered weird, I know.

It snowed briefly today. I'm practically out there warming up the truck in anticipation!!

 

[dave01]

For me. its RC cars, trucks, helicopters and guns.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

House maintenance and working out. Then along can a :spyder2: and the exercise equipment is now collecting cobb webs. The temps have been in the upper 20' so I'm still riding but soon will be back on the exercise equipment. I also like doing my own mods and service work on the GS.

 

[Sopher]

N, G scale but those have been dormant for a while. Digitrax is the only way to go.
RC Nitro truck and many RC Heli's compete for a lot of my time. TRex 450, TRx 500, 2 Fury's and an old XL ProII converted to a camera ship.

Pen turning, woodworking, Mr FixIt also accupy the time.